<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As Australia rings in the new year, a host of changes will come into effect.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The changes aim to save Australians money, prevent price increases and improve public health responses.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From a new cash mandate to cheaper medicines and welfare payment rises, here are the main changes coming into effect in 2026.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-cheapskates-club-cath-pantry-tips-meal-planning/c47f6860-7e1d-43d3-b4e0-0b5311240dfd" rel="" target="" title="Cath restocks her pantry once a year. She's already planned her meals for 2026"><strong><span>Cath restocks her pantry once a year. She's already planned her meals for 2026</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Welfare payments rise</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than a million Australians are set to receive </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/social-security-payments-increasing-indexation/ce15dab9-fa66-4ea6-aea7-cb5a637468ba" rel="" target="_blank" title="an increase to their payments from January 1, 2026"><span>an increase to their payments from January 1, 2026</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The changes will apply to those receiving youth allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, youth disability pension and carer allowance payments.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/january-1-2026-changes-australia-cash-mandate-welfare-payment-increase-and-end-of-energy-rebates/3ee6f54c-b827-499b-889d-86acec262250" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The amount will differ depending on your circumstances.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A full list of the changes is available on the </span><a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/income-support-payments/resource/indexation-rates-january-2026" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Department of Social Services"><span>Department of Social Services</span></a><span> website.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Businesses must take cash</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that Australia would introduce a cash mandate for grocery and fuel retailers from January 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the new rules, businesses that sell fuel and groceries must accept cash payments for these essential purchases.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The mandate will </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cash-mandate-australia-what-is-it--explained/26e04d51-c6fd-4e47-8ade-4a802a97bbc0" rel="" target="_blank" title="mostly apply to retailers"><span>mostly apply to retailers</span></a><span> such as supermarkets and service stations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pauline-hanson-likeability-boost-new-poll-shows/4c24a965-6d9e-4f52-b59a-a61ae27b4029" rel="" target="" title="Good news in new poll for Hanson - but who is our most-liked politician?"><strong><span>Good news in new poll for Hanson - but who is our most-liked politician</span></strong><span>?</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Cheaper medicines through the PBS</span></strong><span></span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians can expect their medicine bills to be slashed in the new year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The general patient co-payment for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pbs-medicine-script-prices-25-dollar-cap-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-pledges-legislation/3288c689-e5da-4999-ab35-2902b2c6a5d0" rel="" target="_blank" title="will be capped at $25 per script from January 1"><span>will be capped at $25 per script from January 1</span></a><span>, a decrease from $31.60.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The change is a key election promise from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and is coming through with bipartisan support from the Coalition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Medicare safety net increases</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Medicare safety net will rise on January 1, pushing up the amount Australians and their families will need to pay before they are provided with increased public health subsidies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The original safety net is increasing from $576 to $594, while the extended safety net has gone from $834 to $861 for concession card holders and from $2615 to $2699 for those without concession cards.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/snake-queensland-nsw-border-python-hitches-ride-in-car/38d50155-61c3-41f9-b7fc-e641d74c3dd4" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Python hitches ride in unsuspecting driver's car across Queensland-NSW border</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Dental costs</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A trip to the dentist can be costly but there will be some additional support for some Australians. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The child dental benefits schedule will cover $1158 every two years for eligible families from January 1, an increase of $26.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government program was set up to cover part or all of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australians-not-claiming-child-dental-benefits-schedule-benefits/7cdf0176-1a1b-4890-ba0c-4748a708ee71" rel="" target="_blank" title="cost of basic dental services for eligible children aged 17 or under"><span>cost of basic dental services for eligible children aged 17 or under</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Childcare subsidy change</span></strong><span></span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Families who are eligible for the childcare subsidy will get at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight regardless of how much they work.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile families can get 100 hours if they work more than 48 hours a week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The changes will come into effect on January 5, 2026.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>ACCC merger laws</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's merger laws will undergo a significant overhaul on January 1 aimed at preventing anti-competitive price rises for consumers and industry concentration.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the federal government will make it mandatory for businesses to notify the ACCC about certain acquisitions and receive subsequent approval from the regulator.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A merger deal between businesses must be reported to the ACCC if it meets certain requirements, including where the companies involved have a combined Australian turnover of $200 million or more.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The previous system was voluntary and informal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Energy bill discount ends</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed the federal government's energy bill discount will end in the new year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/treasurer-jim-chalmers-confirms-energy-bill-rebate-wont-continue-in-2026/51421c51-ba76-4107-bea7-3dd9c8bb3421#:~:text=The%20much%2Dneeded%20%24300%20power,extended%20beyond%20December%2031%2C%202025." rel="" target="_blank" title="much-needed $300 power bill relief"><span>much-needed $300 power bill relief</span></a><span> was offered to households during the 2024/25 financial year, aimed at curbing cost of living pain for Australian families.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An extra $150 subsidy was then offered to Australians from July, however Chalmers revealed it would not be extended beyond December 31, 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Centre for Disease Control launch</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia will establish a permanent Centre for Disease Control (CDC) from January 1 to help the nation prepare for and prevent public health emergencies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The opening comes </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-cdc-to-be-established-laws-passed/65c12bca-2e15-4eaa-9dcb-1fd059813822" rel="" target="_blank" title="almost 40 years after the first calls for the country to establish the service"><span>almost 40 years after the first calls for the country to establish the service</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) called it the "most important piece of public health infrastructure in generations", and Health Minister Mark Butler said the CDC would "help protect Australia from diseases and public health threats".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Passport price change</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you need to renew your passport, you will be paying more in the new year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Passport prices are set to increase increase in line with inflation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cost of a 10-year adult passport is currently $412, which means the price could rise to $422 in 2026.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>NSW toll cap to be made permanent</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you live in NSW and regularly drive on toll roads, you could save some money on your commute in the new year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Premier Chris Minns </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-premier-chris-minns-confirms-60-dollar-weekly-toll-cap-will-continue/59cf491c-2e22-4303-9649-85e67615eeca" rel="" target="_blank" title="confirmed in November the state's $60-a-week toll cap would continue beyond January 1, 2026"><span>confirmed in November the state's $60-a-week toll cap would continue beyond January 1, 2026</span></a><span> to help motorists with the cost-of-living.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The rebate allows motorists to claim up to $340 back a week after spending $60 per vehicle.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However he warned there could be a major change to how the Sydney Harbour Bridge is tolled to pay for the relief.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minns also announced the trial demerit point reward program would be made permanent in the new year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This means unrestricted licence holders who incur no traffic infringements for a full calendar year will have one demerit point removed from their licence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Victorian public transport changes</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From January 1, metro public transport fares in Victoria will rise.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This includes the daily fare cap which will increase from $11 to $11.40 on weekdays and from $7.60 to $8 on weekends.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People under 18 with a youth Myki card can travel free of charge in the new year, while concession card holders can travel for free on weekends.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in 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